Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is celebrating what he called an “absolutely brilliant result” after a bold drone strike on Russian military targets.
In a statement on Sunday, Zelensky said the operation was reported directly by Ukraine’s Security Service chief Vasyl Maliuk. “Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk delivered a report regarding today’s operation. An absolutely brilliant result,” Zelensky posted on X.
He emphasized that the mission was entirely carried out by Ukraine and had been in the works for over a year and a half. “A result achieved solely by Ukraine. One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution. Our most long-range operation,” Zelensky wrote.
A Ukrainian military official told The Associated Press the attack damaged or destroyed 41 aircraft at Russian air bases. These included the A-50 radar plane and long-range bombers like the Tu-95 and Tu-22M—aircraft regularly used by Moscow to strike deep into Ukrainian territory.
The official described the operation as highly complex. Drones were reportedly smuggled into Russia and hidden in wooden mobile homes. “Later, drones were hidden under the roofs of these houses while already placed on trucks. At the right moment, the roofs of the houses were remotely opened, and the drones flew to hit Russian bombers,” the source told AP, speaking anonymously.
Zelensky added that the Ukrainians involved in planning the mission were safely withdrawn from Russia before the strike. “Of course, not everything can be revealed at this moment, but these are Ukrainian actions that will undoubtedly be in history books,” he wrote.
“Ukraine is defending itself, and rightly so — we are doing everything to make Russia feel the need to end this war. Russia started this war, Russia must end it. Glory to Ukraine!” Zelensky said.
The strike came just one day before scheduled peace talks in Turkey. According to Reuters, Ukraine’s demands include a “full and unconditional ceasefire” and a refusal to adopt diplomatic neutrality.
